Author: Rhys Gregory

A North Wales-based civil engineering firm has completed work on key environmental improvements at the grounds of a landmark Eryri tourist attraction. Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK was awarded the contract for the demolition of First Hydro Company’s Llanberis-based Electric Mountain Visitor Centre, which has been closed since late 2018. Previously used to facilitate tours of Dinorwig Power Station, the building, with the exception of the electricity substation, has been removed and re-instated as an area of grassland that has been earmarked for occasional community events. Wye Valley Group supported with the demolition of the existing infrastructure, ahead of Jones Bros’…

British Gas has been awarded a new seven-year contract to deliver services via the new Welsh Government’s Warm Homes scheme. The scheme has been administered by British Gas since 2011 and it has helped 60,300 low-income households with a package of free home energy efficiency measures. It has also provided 210, 800 households with free, impartial advice and signposting to a range of support services. The new contract is worth approximately £200m over a 7-year period and will support both British Gas’ and the Welsh Government’s work to tackle fuel poverty. The scheme will see improvements in the energy efficiency…

Passengers in Swansea can now book a ride with Uber as the company launches across the city – the first new city Uber has launched since 2017. The launch is a response to the rising demand with over 4,000 local residents opening the Uber app looking for a trip every week. To celebrate, riders across the city can enjoy up to £20 off their next two rides until 24 March, 2024. In the UK, driver numbers have grown by over 70% to over 100k since 2021. Every driver has worker protections including a pension, holiday pay and guaranteed National Living…

Newport-based Configur, specialists in data-driven insights and automation, has announced the successful closure of its recent investment round. The company has raised £772,000, valued at £6 million, from esteemed investors including an increased shareholding for Lord Mervyn Davies, continued support from existing investors and several exciting new Angel Investors. This financial injection marks a significant milestone for Configur as it aims to revolutionise how businesses leverage AI to make informed decisions and streamline operations. The funds are to be used to strategically scale the growing team of 14 staff across both the South Wales and Liverpool Street, London office to…

Maesmawr Hall hotel, located on the River Severn in the Welsh county of Powys, has changed hands after being under the ownership of John Garner and his partner Nigel Humphryson for over 10 years. Advised by Colliers’ Hotels Agency team, this landmark property, dating back to 1535, was acquired at the asking price by private owners, John and Lisa Brant. The property serves as an ideal destination for business meetings and wedding functions. The hotel features a bar, lounge, and meticulously decorated bedrooms, showcasing elaborate fireplaces, exposed beams, and intricately carved timberwork. John and Lisa Brant, the new owners, bring…

Bridgend County Borough Council’s Green Space Enhancement Project illustrates the local authority’s commitment to improving connectivity between local residents and the green spaces on their doorstep. Funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the initiative will revitalise green spaces and equestrian routes across the county borough.  This will include the iconic Bedford Park, home of the Cefn Cribwr Ironworks, and Frog Pond Wood, in Pyle, which already features an interactive Oak sculpture trail for children in the Early Years. Part of the transformation at Bedford Park will involve ‘Design Out Crime’ – an initiative which incorporates art and direct community…

Construction of a new Flood Defence scheme that will protect 2,800 homes from the risk of flooding has begun. Spanning 1.5 kilometres along the foreshore, from Tidefields Road to the River Rhymney estuary, the £35 million scheme, the majority of which is funded by Welsh Government, will take around three years to complete and is designed to: protect properties from rising sea levels for the next 100 years. provide defence against a one-in-200-year severe weather event, including allowing for the effects of climate change.   Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Cllr Caro Wild, said: “Asa coastal city with three rivers running…

Get ready to take the plunge Lido-lovers! The main summer season starts this month in time for the Easter holidays! All three pools of the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty, will be open every day of the two week-long holidays. The water temperature will be turned back up to 28 degrees and the pools will be open for lane and casual swimming, splash pool with fountain, inflatable obstacle course, water zorb and paddle boats. As the cold water swim sessions, which continue to be exceptionally successful, draw to an end, Lido Ponty begins its main season on Saturday, March…

Three members of a Pembrokeshire farming family have been sentenced for deliberately swapping cattle ear tags; actions that saw animals with Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) reactors remain on the farm. Bovine Tuberculosis is a zoonotic infection that can infect many species, including humans and wildlife, though transmission to humans in the UK is very rare as a result of control measures in place across the agricultural and food industries. The actions of Edward, Charles and Henry Hartt displayed widespread illegality and created an unacceptable and serious risk to animal health. The Hartts operate a large scale dairy and beef farming enterprise…

Businesses in Powys with plans to expand, or secure their future in challenging times, could be eligible for a Growth Grant from the county council. Sums of between £1,000 and £25,000 are available after a total of nearly £1.1 million was secured by the council, from the UK Government, via the Shared Prosperity Fund. This money, which can also be claimed by businesses looking to move to Powys, will be available until it has been fully allocated. A total of £143,000 was allocated during the first window, in November and December last year, and because it proved so popular the…